Leaders in Dubai are getting help with sustainable energy
goals and ecological business plans from a partner on the other side of the
Mediterranean.
An Oct. 23 press release shows the secretary general of Dubai
GEP, Fahad Al Gergawi, and an Italian official, Turin’s Mayor Chiara Appendino,
in a Dubai location to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that moves
forward collaborative goals between the two economies.
The MoU is intended to promote trade, particularly
focusing on sustainable products and services that both countries have to offer.
“The strategic partnership with the city of Turin will
increase the international visibility of Dubai GEP’s activities and its
founding members,” Gergawi said in a press statement. “The collaboration will
play an important part in bringing together the two cities to share best
practices. We look forward to the partnership and the ability to facilitate
sustainable economic growth for both cities at an international and regional
level.’’
In supplied remarks, Appendino called the agreement “a step
in the right direction for us.”
The idea is that business and green economies can go
hand in hand, and that having a base of international allies in this effort can
be better than going it alone.
For more analysis, Gulf News Journal turned to Apoorva Patil, research analyst of investment research and analytics at research firm Aranca.
“Under the UAE Vision 2021, the country endorsed the target
of increasing the contribution of clean energy sources to the total energy mix
to 24 percent by 2021, from less than 1 percent in 2015,” Patil said. “This target was
recently raised to 27 percent, which underlines the UAE’s commitment to enhance its
competitiveness as a green, sustainable and low-carbon economy.”
The MoU, Patil said, is not the first of its kind.
“The Dubai government has laid clear emphasis on
partnerships with international entities and collaborations across the
private-public-academic landscape,” he said, citing previous agreements. “The MoU with Turin is part of expanding the collaborative
approach Dubai has taken in developing and meeting the green economy
objectives. Over the past few years, Turin has greatly improved
its status as a ‘smart energy city.’ Moreover, the city is an aerospace hub,
with several large enterprises, SMEs, universities and R&D centers
offering various scientific contributions. The MoU is a good platform for the
UAE to promote green economy developments by leveraging Italy’s expertise in
this domain.”
As for American involvement, Patil said Dubai is also
reaching out to California, a state with its own sizable economy and a green
leader in the U.S.
“Dubai GEP had previously signed MoU with Cleantech San
Diego in California to promote trade and investment in innovative green
technologies,” he said. “Engaging with global leaders in green technologies
should pave way for greater trade prospects and FDI into the UAE.”
